PARLIAMENT.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 287, 8 June 1909, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

m rPHESS ABBOCIATION. I WELLINGTON, Inst night. The informal mi'oting oiVirn'mbers of Pa.iTiamrat to considor tin representation of tlie Govcninier.i :r. lire Imperial Naval Conference, tfv! .\ !ietiier Parliament Sxjnuld adjmi' ■. \.\ enable the Premier to attend, «.* . .' at 3 o'clock to-day. Having .stated that lie wmi.'-.I not ask for the appointment of a chairman, but would' himself preside,- Sir Joseph Ward explained that he' had called members together in the only way possible under the circumstances. Members- of the Upper House had been invited to' lie- present, not to take, part in tho general discussion, but- to hear what had to he said and then consider the matter separately. Until a decision was arrived at as to the adjournment of tho session it was ; impossible to inform the British 'Government wlietlier'tliedomiiiipii would be. represented. He ivas glad to sec Mr Massey present, as ho was always desirous to recognise tho position of tlio leader of the Opposition, realising that lie- could only act with the general co-operation of the members. He felt- it was better he should come before them and make a general statement, and bo guided by the- general sense, of the members assmblod. He explained that if the representation of New Zealand was to bo by the Prime Minister aud Parliament' was to adjourn' the necessary steps would be taken to get an extension of supplies and the Speech from the Throne would be a. short one. -If the House decided that- Government was not to be represented then his Excellency would have- to be advised differently. If the invitation was refused Government would lay itself open to the charge of indifference. The Conference was an epoch-making one. Continuing, Sir Joseph Ward said the time had arrived for Parliament to say whethor it would uphold tlw> offer of the Dreadnought or two to the British Government, and he woidd ask Parliament to say aye or nay ; also to say whether the dominion should bo represented at the Conference. He intimated that a despatch which was expected had not reached his Excellency, as apparently the Home Government was awaiting tho result of this conference. The Prime Minister then read voluminous correspondence wiiich had passed respecting the Dreadnought offer, and various despatches between the British and New Zealand Governments, the substance of all of which has already been published. He intimated that the necessary loan could be raised at 3 per cent., which with 1 per cent, sinking fund Avould amount to £80,000 a year, a not ,toor heavy isurance on commerce. Cabinet had entirely concurred in the whole proposal, and his Excellency was asked to submit it to the British Government. A despatch 'had also been received in which the New Zealand Government was asked to be represented at the Imperial Conference to be held in July and a further one expressing the hope that Sir Joseph Ward as Minister of Defence would seee his way to be present. Continuing, the Premier said Govennment could not agree to the suggestion that someone not a Minister pf the Grown should represent the dominion at such an important conference, which the Secretary 'of State had intimated among, other things was to consider the offer of a Dreadnought or two from Now . Zealand. The Home ' Government desired representative^ of the overseas dominions to be present and the responsibility was upon Parliament to say whether and by whom New Zealand should be represented. The Conference w.as of an unprecedented character and the Ministry was unanimously of opinion that' at such a-n important gathering the head of the Government should represent the dominion. (Applause.) He referred to what he described as an in-decent suggestion that he had sent a telegram to tho editors of the press, and had not seen fit to send a similar telegram to members Continuing, Sir Joseph Ward said that in connection with this offer ho had declined to look at this matter from a party point of view as he thought that in such a question they ought to rise, above party. At the time that offer was made, the Government knew something which had not then been made public, and which thoy then thought justified .them in making the ■offer that was now being discussed. Throughout the country the- action of" the Government had been confirmed and applauded as being in the best interests of the Kmpire. Sir Joseph quoted from a speech delivered by Lord Charles Beresford, in which he stated if the country knew the true position there would be a panic. Mr Taylor : He made several other after-dinner speeches later. Sir Joseph : The ono I refer to was not an after dinner speech. The Premier maintained it was not a. failproposition to ask the House to go on in Parliament without its leader, especially with, new members, and new Ministers. He did not believe that Mr Hall-Jones, if asked, would aeeept tho position of representative at the Conference- unless he- were Premier, with authority to act, as the Conference was a private, one. If members

agreed to his going to the Conference and the House adjourning, he-propos-ed to ask the House to resume on 30th September. Mr Massey asked for a specific resolution. Sir Joseph said all the- business could be got through well in time. He had asked Mr T. Y. Duncan to. move a. resolution. Mr Duncan, then moved to the effect that the Premier should represent Government at the Conference, and that Parliament should adjourn until September 30th. On the suggestion of Mr Massey the. meeting adjourned at 1.5 until 7.30 to allow memoranda to be printed. On resuming, Mr Massey said he did not intend to speak at greatlength, but would make his. points clearer than the Premier. What was being done now was in no way binding. Members of Parliament knew the important events which had taken place in Britain, recently, and all knew that it would .necessitate an important'change in the defence policy, of the colonies, but there was no need for heroics and theatrical display. It was am important question to be considered by Parliament how the defences of the dominion should be putin proper condition. All were agreed that New Zealand should bo properly represented- at tlie Defence Conference. (Opposition, hear, hear). It appeared- that -the Premier had made up his mind to. go Home. • Well, let him . go . There was no analogy between the position of 1897 and the present one. In 1897 it was a unique occasion, the diamond jubilees of the Queen. When the Premier went Home to the previous Defence Conference he left a substitute to carry on the business of the country. The Premier now said no one but himself could represent the dominion — what a compliment to his colleagues. Opposition laughter). The fact was that he did not wish business to go on in his absence because he. could not trust his own party. Mr Massey observed that no man was indispensable, and f the Premier, Massey and others were out of Parliament tlie business of the country would still go on. It was the duty of the Premier to have consulted the leader of the Opposition, who represented nearly equal to half the inhabitants, if he did not want the cry of "Party" rais,ed. But he did not do it. He pointed to the financial position of the country and necessity of providing 'for public works and other matters without delay. This was one of the most important sessions in the history of the country, and ought to be proceeded with. The Premier should go to the Conference, but it was not to he held that every time a conference was held in London Parliament was to be postponed. Ho hoped befoi*o the Premier went he ( would give the country an indication as to the lines of action he intended to tako up at the Conference. After having assisted the Empire we, should look to our own defence. Ho advocated a proper subsidy to the navy as a better method of assistance than the gift of Dreadnoughts. He hoped the motion would be divided into two parts to allow the meeting to decide whether the Premier should go Home and if so whether Parliament should be adjourned. Replying to Mr Taylor, the Premier declined to answer questions. Messrs T. E. Taylor, Fisher, Herdman, Malcolm, and Lang also spoke.